Video & Pics: Munster V Connacht

30th November 2015 By Munster Rugby

Action shots, video highlights and post-match reaction from Head Coach Anthony Foley following Saturday night’s Guinness PRO12 loss to table-toppers Connacht at Thomond Park. The defeat saw Munster slip from second to third on the PRO12 table with eight rounds played.

Round 8 PRO12 round-up: The game saw Connacht record their first Thomond Park win in 29 years. This was Munster's first home defeat of the season and first in Thomond Park in the PRO12 since September 2014. Saturday’s game saw prop James Cronin make his 50th appearance for the province while Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino made his first start. Hooker Niall Scannell made his first start of the season and scored his first try for Munster.

CLICK HERE to view our Match Galley. Scroll down for Video highlights.

Speaking with media following the full-time whistle, Anthony Foley commented, “We didn’t have any ball to take advantage of the elements in the first half. Connacht were very disciplined and were very good at keeping the ball through a lot of phases and anything that was contested in the opening half went back on their side which can happen when the wind is at your back.

“Someone said to me the possession stakes were 80:20 in favour of Connacht in the opening half and they were also ahead in terms of territory. We needed to be better than that, to control and get possession.

“I think we actually had missed 15 tackles before Connacht ran in their first try and that simply is not us. It was addressed heavily at half time.

“In the second half we kept the ball a lot more, played through a lot of phases, played with more pace and we won a lot more line-out and breakdown turnovers, but then we made some mistakes in their 22 and that released the pressure valve.

“We fought to the end but unfortunately losing by six points at home was not the result we were looking for. We knew it was going to be a tough game and there would only be a score in it either way.

“That said, I fully salute the Connacht performance, they were the better side and fully deserved to win, and like in their wins over Enisei, Brive and us (in pre-season), rather than shut-up shop, they played rugby from start to finish.”